What are the Mysteries of Lake Mungo?

David Arnold, National Museum of Australia

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The mysteries explored in this case study

1. What do archaeologists do?2. What do we know about Lake Mungo - place, time environment and people?3. Why were Mungo Lady and Mungo man buried in these ways?4. How old are the Lake Mungo people? How do we know?5. How were lunettes formed?6. What happened to the megafauna at Lake Mungo?7. What was life at Lake Mungo like?8. What should be done with the Lake Mungo human remains?9. How has the environment changed over time at Lake Mungo?10. How has Lake Mungo been represented in art?11. What would the Lake Mungo people tell us?

Questions to consider for each mystery/investigation…

1. What are students asked to do in this part of the unit?2. Are the activities worthwhile/doable?3. Would they suit your students?4. How would you use this material in your classroom?5. Any other thoughts?

Australian Curriculum: HistoryYear 7

Investigating the ancient past• How historians and archaeologists investigate history…• The range of sources that can be used in an historical investigation…• The methods and sources used to investigate at least ONE historical

controversy or mystery that has challenged historians or archaeologists, such as the analysis of unidentified remains

• The nature of the sources for ancient Australia and what they reveal about Australia’s past in the ancient period, such as the use of sources

• The importance of conserving the remains of the ancient past…